Perthshire hotel in world’s top 1%

Country house property amongst the globe’s elite

A Perthshire country house hotel with memorable lochside views and an award-winning chef has been named in Tripadvisor’s top 1% in the world.

The Green Park Hotel in Pitlochry, perched on the picturesque banks of Loch Faskally, has been recognised in the booking giant’s ‘Best of the Best Hotels UK’ in their Traveller’s Choice Awards.

The Awards are for hotels and properties which are rated in the top 1% in the world across the platform’s portfolio, voted by reviewers who have stayed there within the past 12 months.

In rare company

Only three Scottish hotels achieved the combined ratings to meet the threshold; the others being the restored 100 Princes Street in Edinburgh and Arran’s Auchrannie Resort.

The 51-bedroom Green Park Hotel achieved a total rating of 4.9 out of 5 from 860 reviews, a satisfaction rating of 92%. Only 10 out of the top 25 received a similar 4.9 grading from guests.

Also making the top 1% globally were hotels and properties from Indonesia, Vietnam, Canada, New York, Costa Rica and Australia.

Staffing reward

The Green Park Hotel, whose Head Chef is former Scottish chef of the Year, Graeme Pallister, has managed to make it into Tripadvisor’s top 25 hotels in the UK in 7 of the last 8 years.

Owners Alistair and Diane McMenemie, who bought the hotel in 1996, put the consistent success down to the quality of the food and policies which give staff time to respond to guest needs.

“These awards are great for the staff. It is very difficult for properties worldwide to achieve 90% positive ratings. That fact we are at 92% is testimony to them,” said Alistair.

“We are very lucky in that we have very low staff turn-over. We pay above the Living Wage and we try to have enough staff working so that they have time to be friendly and attentive to our guests. It makes a real difference to guests and it means a lot to us.

“I think that shows in the number of returning guests we have.

“The quality of the food is also a factor in people coming back, so it is really pleasing to be in the top 1% and it gives everyone a bit of excitement.”

Rich history

The Green Park Hotel was built originally in 1889 and today consists of a central Victorian wing, a Tower and Garden wing.

Set in verdant grounds, the gardens feature a sculpture, ‘the lady of the loch’ which looks out over the water, as well as hand-crafted ironworks and wildlife-based art.

The hotel regularly hosts activity retreats for guests like Astronomy, movie, Photography and Art History breaks, whilst also celebrating the resident red squirrel population.